viability

noun

vi·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being viable: such as

a(1)

: the ability to live, grow, and develop

the viability of seeds under dry conditions

(2)

: the capability of a fetus to survive outside the uterus

fetal viability

b

: the ability to function adequately

The viability of lymphocytes serially harvested from stored bank blood …

—Biological Abstracts

c

: the ability to succeed or be sustained

This year's market turmoil had called into question the viability of the investment-banking business model …

—Wall Street Journal

Getting an informed start now may be essential to future growth and economic viability of the U.S. wine industry.

—Gordon W Murchie

Examples of viability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Strain, delivery method, viability, and effectiveness are all important factors to consider when choosing a probiotic. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 1 Jan. 2025

This raises a neat $4.8M for the league at a time when its financial viability is being called into question. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

In retrospect, future analysts may see the 2024 election as the death knell for the Democratic Party's viability in rural America. —G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024

Already, the climbing temperatures are threatening the viability of all hatchlings. —Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

viability

noun

vi·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural viabilities

: the quality or state of being viable : the ability to live, grow, and develop